‘Overview of Population Dynamics in the Asia-Pacific Region’ in Asia-pacific Champion Parliamentarians Consultation on Population Dynamics, 25-26 November 2014m Dusit Thani Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract:

In this study, four policy briefs were presented: High Fertility and Population Growth, Low Fertility and Population Ageing, Human Mobility and Migration and Urbanization Trends. After analyzing the UNESCAP data, the study suggested the following policy recommendations in relation to four policy briefs presented. In relation to High Fertility and Population Growth the suggested policy recommendations are: Adopt appropriate policies to harness Demographic Dividend to reap the benefits of a low dependency; Adopt policies to reduce adolescent fertility for improving sexual and reproductive health and the social and economic well-being of adolescents and youth; Address the unmet need for family planning by adopting rights-based approaches which can lead to greater equity, equality and nondiscrimination; Strengthen policies to reduce disparities in urban/rural (including remote areas) health facilities which can ensure the universal access to family planning and other reproductive health services. Recommendations for the policy brief on Low Fertility and Population Ageing are: Supporting women’s decent labour force participation must be a priority in order to improve old-age security; Improve the lives of current as well as future older generations by investing in human capital and supporting savings and income generation of the youth and the elderly; Promote productive ageing and increase retirement age in order to ensure that the older persons have adequate financial provision for the later stage of their life, and do not become a burden on others or the state; Reduce dependency on pensions by including social polices into economic policies in the context of UN Social Protection Floor Initiative; Raise healthy life expectancy by adopting polices related to morbidity compression and close the gap of the sex differential of life expectancy by identifying causes for such difference specific to each culture; Build up support systems for the elderly by investing in community solution. With regard to Human Mobility and Migration, the recommendations are: Countries should view that migration is relevant for the sustainable, inclusive and equitable growth and development and hence include migration into development and broader sectoral planning; Human rights of migrants and non-discrimination must be incorporated into migration policies and frameworks; Continue with reliable data and research on migration in order to counter misinformation and formulate effective policies on migration; Home countries and host countries should require a shared approach to human capital development in the context of temporary labour migration; Launch a genuine and open dialogue about the role of migration in order to recognize positive contribution of migrants to the society. Recommendation derived for Urbanization Trends in the region are: Reduce inequitable and unplanned urban growth, especially those living in informal settlements in developing economies of the Asia-Pacific region; Reduce urban poverty by providing decent employment opportunities, especially for the youth; Improve economic participation, opportunities and security in urban areas for women; and Improve governance, access to services, access to social protection and public healthcare systems.